We take a look at what Hindustan Times readers have to say amid the raging debate on how to deal with the growing stray dog menace in the Tricity:

punjabUpdated: Apr 30, 2017 21:33 IST

HT Correspodent Hindustan Times, Chandigarh

We take a look at what Hindustan Times readers have to say amid the raging debate on how to deal with the growing stray dog menace in the Tricity. (HT File )

Animal welfare has taken a back seat

The authorities have failed to provide a suitable place to keep, treat and sterilise stray dogs. With the absence of sufficient funds or permanent jobs and, lack of public support, the contractors for catching dogs or workers of animal welfare organisation also get deprived of the resources to continue their campaigns at a good pace. The population of stray dogs cannot be brought down over night. With every dog-bite case, opposition to feeding of stray dogs, animal lovers and welfare organisations is growing. There are people who can catch 10 dogs in a day but can the administration assure that there is a suitable place to keep those stray animals. As per law, dogs, after treatment and sterilisation, have to be brought back to the same place from where they are picked. Some people say stray animals should not be fed and people doing so are labelled at culprits. Even as a welfare activist, I will say go ahead, seek amendments in the Animals Birth Control Act, 2001, to allow culling. At least animal lovers will not have to see a hungry, thirsty dog dying a painful death in the city.- Yasmin Dutta Khosla, via email

Feed one, adopt one

Kennels should be made in order to treat and shelter dogs. Sterilising them is not enough. Dog has always been a good companion to man, and so killing them is not a way out at all. Summers have an adverse effect on dogs, including heat, stress and even brain damage. Due to this, they behave in an aggressive and dangerous manner. So, officials need to catch and treat dogs before the summer season. People also need to understand to not feed dogs near residential areas. Instead, people should be allowed to feed and adopt dogs from the kennels only after they have been treated. The government should adopt and publicise the motto, ‘feed one, adopt one’. - Amrinder Singh Brar, SAS Nagar

Government needs to wake up

Despite efforts to catch stray dogs, the administration has failed to provide respite to the residents. It’s time the administration wake up from its slumber. The civic body should start a dog sterilisation project. The contract for catching dogs and sterilising them should be given to private parties. After catching the canines, they must be operated upon, fed and then released after due medical care. A plan on the lines of five-year plan should be prepared by the authorities to tackle the menace. Meanwhile, a survey should be carried out for details on the status of stray dogs. The government should allocate budget for the solution of stray dogs. Also, the administration should collaborate with NGOs. The government should invest in implementing programmes like stray dog rescue programme, distribution programme. The government should enhance and improve breeding registration and license system, establish a system of monitoring and management of stray dogs.- Bhavesh Pahwa, Panchkula

Partner with NGOs to tackle issue

The government should solve the problem and take initiatives regarding the issue of stray dogs. These stray animals should be properly vaccinated and sterilised. NGOs should be set up to deal with problems faced by the stray dogs. Government can also solve this problem by spray-and-neuter modelling and finally the authorities should collectively care for the dogs. -Asmi Jain , Ambala

Corporations have failed to deliver

The stray dog menace in the tricity is discussed every year. However, nothing happens on the ground. Instead of removing stray dogs from public parks, Chandigarh MC has added insult to injury by allowing pet dogs inside parks. The authorities seem more concerned about the lives and welfare of animals than humans. Sterilisation has failed to put a check on the stray dog population. Culling is the option.- SC Luthra, Chandigarh

MC must rise to the occasion

The half-baked policy of sterilisation of dogs has failed miserably in the tricity. Dog lovers will have to reassess their love for animals considering the severe pain inflicted to a victim of dog bite. The administration must rise to the occasion and do the needful. - Devinder Garg, Chandigarh